Courtney Thorne-Smith Film in a headshot for Melrose Place. She has her hands on her shoulder and has a slight smile. Her red-ish hair is full of volume. She is wearing a white t-shirt and denim waistcoat.
Courtney Thorne-Smith has spoken about the alleged incident (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

Courtney Thorne-Smith has alleged she was asked to wear a ‘sexy negligee’ for a film while still a teenager.

The now 56-year-old actress played Alison Parker on the soap Melrose Place and Georgia Thomas on the comedy Ally McBeal, but it was an earlier role, where she felt ‘trapped’. Although, she does not disclose exactly which film she is making the allegations about.

Aged 17, Courtney was booked for one of her first movies. Cast alongside her was a man in his thirties, who played her romantic interest.

She opened up about the incident on the podcast Still the Place, which Courtney presents with her former Melrose Place co-stars Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton who played Jo Reynolds and Sydney Andrews respectively.

‘We did sleep together in the script, and I wore one of his button-down shirts afterwards,’ she recalled.

‘I got to set that day and there’s a really sexy negligee in my room.’

Courtney Thorne-Smith smiling at an event. She is wearing a black blazer with white trim. Her blonde hair is styled in a wavy bob
Courtney is grateful she stood up for herself (Picture: AFF-USA/REX/Shutterstock)

She claims to have approached the director to raise concerns. Courtney added that she had a no-nudity clause, and felt that because of the way the garment was cut, something may show.

‘I was 17 with a 30-year-old. I knew it was kind of off, but the shirt made it feel alright,’ she said.

Courtney added: ‘The producer came into my room, and said the whole crew was talking about what a baby I was being.’

She escalated the concern to her agent, who travelled to the set, for extra support, which helped her to advocate for herself.

‘They trapped me,’ she stated, before summarising: ‘I’m so grateful I had that ability to stand up for myself at that age. I’m amazed, actually. I had that ability at that age.’

Cast of Melrose Place - Marcia Cross, Grant Show, Doug Savant, Thomas Calabro, Andrew Shue, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Laura Leighton - gathered together for a group shot. They are all huddled together - some standing, some sitting. They look happy to be in each other's company and are wearing casual clothing.
Melrose Place was Courtney’s big break (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Heather Locklear, Andrew Shue, Courtney Thorne-Smith in a promotional picture for Melrose Place. Courtney is leaning on Andrew - both are smiling. Heather has her arms crossed and is giving Courtney a dirty look.
Courtney stayed on the soap for five years (Picture: 20thCentFox/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Courtney’s big break came in 1992 when she was cast as Alison in Melrose Place – a role she played for five years.

Her TV roles have continued, including on Two and a Half Men, in which she played Alan Harper (Jon Cryer)’s girlfriend, Lyndsey McElroy, for 52 episodes.

She has starred in many films throughout her career including Lucas, which also featured Winona Ryder, Corey Haim, and Charlie Sheen, Welcome to 18, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise, Summer School, and Side Out.

Courtney is married to marketing agency owner Roger Fishman, and they share a son together.

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